DEARBORN, Mich., April 13, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- SME and owner of the TCT Group, Rapid News Publications Ltd, have today announced a strategic alliance that will see the organizations teaming up to produce the annual RAPID 3D manufacturing event starting in 2017.

The two organizations are combining their nearly 30 years of insights and experience in accelerating the adoption and advancement of 3D manufacturing technologies and are confident that the new event, to be renamed RAPID + TCT, will result in an increased impact on the U.S. manufacturing industry.

RAPID has been produced by SME since its inception 26 years ago as an additive manufacturing and 3D technology conference and exposition. It has seen significant growth in attendance, exhibits and activities in recent years. Through its TCT portfolio, Rapid News has been at the forefront of the 3D printing, additive manufacturing and product development movement for more than 20 years.

The new partnership will leverage SME and TCT's collective industry knowledge and global networks to draw significantly more industry professionals together to address the challenges of 3D manufacturing and drive even greater adoption and progress across all industries.

Emerging technologies such as additive manufacturing (3D printing) and other 3D technologies are enabling manufacturers to reduce time to market, produce stronger and lighter parts, improve efficiency, reduce waste, cost and emissions and create products and geometries they couldn't create before. Increased awareness of these real benefits of using advanced manufacturing technologies will encourage more companies to adopt these technologies which will improve their ability to compete on the global stage.

"RAPID has developed significantly in the last five years and still we recognize that even more 3D manufacturing knowledge and expertise is needed now," said Debbie Holton, director of Events and Industry Strategy at SME. "By combining the resources of SME with TCT's trusted and respected global brand and media reach, we will create an even stronger event that has a greater national impact on manufacturing, helping companies compete with these high tech tools in a quickly changing market."

"This is a strategically important and exciting move for both of our organizations," said Duncan Wood, chief operating officer, Rapid News Publications Ltd. "This partnership with SME fits with our mission of accelerating 3D technology adoption worldwide. RAPID is the leading 3D manufacturing show in the U.S. and we are delighted to be able to add our experience, ideas and media power to the fantastic team at SME, We look forward to building an amazing RAPID + TCT event with them in the coming years."

The RAPID + TCT partnership will go into effect for the 2017 event.

Learn more at the RAPID 2016 event taking place May 16-19 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, FL. Register to attend at rapid3devent.com.

About SMESME connects all those who are passionate about making things that improve our world. As a nonprofit organization, SME has served practitioners, companies, educators, government and communities across the manufacturing spectrum for more than 80 years. Through its strategic areas of events, media, membership, training and development, and the SME Education Foundation, SME is uniquely dedicated to the advancement of manufacturing by addressing both knowledge and skills needed for the industry. Follow @SME_MFG on Twitter or facebook.com/SMEmfg.

About Rapid News Publications Ltd & TCTRapid News Publications Ltd, is the owner of the TCT portfolio. The TCT Group's mission is to accelerate the adoption of 3D technologies for design, development and manufacture across all industry sectors. Our events, publications, websites and digital products deliver business-critical insights on 3D printing, additive manufacturing, CAD/CAE, metrology and inspection and traditional manufacturing technologies across the Europe, Asia and North America. Rapid News Publications Ltd is a member of the AEO (Association of Event Organisers) and BPA Worldwide - thetctgroup.com

About RAPIDFor more than 25 years, the RAPID Conference & Exposition, produced by SME, has defined the crucial role of additive manufacturing and empowered the establishment of an industry that continues to conceive, test, improve and manufacture new products at a faster, more cost-efficient pace. As the leader and authority figure in additive manufacturing, RAPID attracts buyers, sellers and end-users of design, prototyping, tooling and direct digital technologies to a world-class event for discovery, innovation and networking. For more information, please visit rapid3devent.com.